High Plains Bank Branch Locations Come Together to Celebrate Community
Summer is a wonderful time to gather and celebrate community, from buzzing farmer’s markets, barbecues, county fairs, baseball games, and other outdoor activities. High Plains Bank locations have enjoyed coming together to welcome neighbors, customers, and to appreciate what is unique about each community.
Flagler Annual Customer Appreciation BBQ
On a beautiful Friday in mid-August, the High Plains Bank Flagler team took a break from their work schedule for their annual Customer Appreciation BBQ, now in its 23rd year. Folks from all over town lined up to enjoy delicious hamburgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings, as well as fun conversations with neighbors and friends.
“We started hosting the Customer Appreciation Day back in 1999,” shares Mary Allacher, Senior Vice President, Accounting. “Originally we had the BBQ in June on the Friday closest to Flag Day, but we moved it to August since that seems to work better for us and the community.”
The HPB team served between 200-300 people and were helped by a number of local children (including a few of their own!) who handed out beverages and a thank you gift to each person there.
Longmont's "Unity in the Community" is Back!
Now crossing over the 100K population count, you might think the small town feel that Longmont is known for would be a thing of the past. That was certainly not the case at the 2022 Unity in the Community, put on by the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce, which took place downtown on Friday, August 26th. The free community event was jammed-packed with residents enjoying the family-friendly activities, food trucks, "biergarten" (for the adults), a live concert with local musicians, and a rousing concert with the funkadelic Pamlico Sound!
In addition to the fun, Unity in the Community highlights Longmont’s wide-reaching non-profit organizations. The attending non-profits were eligible to apply for a “Unity Funds the Community” grant, with the top five applicants selected to receive a minimum grant of $1,000, as well as additional funds from biergarten sales. Event attendees also got to cast their votes for the five finalists at the Interactive Giving Tower. The winner will be announced at the Chamber’s Jubilee celebration later this year.
High Plains Bank was the presenting sponsor for Unity in the Community. Other sponsors included the City of Longmont, Walmart, St. Vrain Valley School District, as well as many local businesses and organizations.
Wiggins Serves Up Food and Community
The start of school means new schedules and leaving summer behind. But for Wiggins, the start of school means it is time for the Annual Wiggins Community BBQ, now in its 15th year. The event serves two purposes: providing residents with a wonderful reason to come together and enjoy a delicious meal of pulled pork, baked beans, plenty of sides and sweets, and to pay it forward by donating personal hygiene items and canned food to the local food bank.
The community barbeque began as a way for High Plains Bank to thank the community, but has grown along with the town. “Seven years ago, we switched from hosting the BBQ at the baseball field to the Wiggins Elementary School Gym,” shares Janet Rohn, Vice President and Loan Officer at the Wiggins location. “We’re excited that after two years, the event will again coincide with the Wiggins High School homecoming parade. The BBQ is truly a community event.”
Participating companies are able to host a booth, free of charge, and as well, High Plains Bank will list those businesses for the Community Bucks giveaways, another way to support and highlight the local business community.
Committed to Being Part of the Community
Whether it’s participating in community BBQs and events, the parades for the annual Bennett and Strasburg Days, the Southeast Weld County Junior Fair and Rodeo, or hanging out with friends and neighbors, High Plains Bank is committed to being part of each of our location communities all year round.
"Being a part of the fabric of the community is a key value for High Plains Bank,” shares Michelle Hovdesven, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Community Impact. “We measure our success on the impact we have on building thriving communities in all of our market areas."
